GEELONG has pumped money into its recruiting department in an effort to combat the impact new clubs on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney could have on the number of available youngsters.

Gold Coast doesn't enter the competition until 2011 but the franchise will receive the first three selections and five of the next 11 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.

The club will also have the early commitment of up to a dozen prospects who turn 17 this year.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said confirmation of Gold Coast's licence would change the recruiting strategy of each of the existing clubs.

"We’ve put $200,000 extra into recruiting this year to cover the areas more adequately," he told afl.com.au.

"So we’ve actually invested in recruiting because of the Gold Coast and western Sydney licences.

"I think every club is changing their strategy and they’re doing it – spending more money and spending more time in this area."

Though the western Sydney franchise hasn't been given an official go-ahead, the AFL has made clear its intentions to instate it for the 2012 season.

Cook said his club supported the league's expansion and that Gold Coast had made some good moves ahead of its TAC Cup campaign this year.

"Our club thinks that it’s the right way to go, the Gold Coast licence," he said.

"They’ve put a lot of work in to attract members and sponsors and they’re starting to put a football structure together which makes sense.

"The AFL has got some pretty generous yet challenging rules for them to follow in the draft, so they should get up and running pretty well."

Cook was chief executive of the West Coast Eagles when that club won premierships in 1992 and 1994.

It was a remarkable achievement given it was only 1987 that the Eagles entered the AFL – a competition significantly less professional than it is today – but Gold Coast officials have forecast just a four-year wait for their club's first crack at the silverware.

Cook warned that it might not be as smooth-sailing as they expect.

"It's going to be difficult, no doubt, and it should take time," he said.

"I think it’s probably just a couple of very enthusiastic administrators or directors who are jumping out of their suits with excitement at being given the licence.

"It’s interesting that you have directors actually making those comments. I won’t go into that, but we’ve all got a bit to learn I suppose."